[President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto. They are set to officially assume office for their second term on Tuesday. Courtesy: The Star]
Political commentator and columnist Sam Omwenga has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to ensure inclusivity during their second term in office.
In an opinion editorial published with The Star Newspaper on Saturday, Omwenga observed that regional balance will be key to Uhuru's success as he prepares to take oath of office on Tuesday.
He argued that Uhuru, in his first term in office failed to appreciate the country's ethno-cultural diversity leading to disunity and increased political competition.
"When Uhuru and Ruto got into office in 2013, wise counsel was if they were smart, they would use the presidency to defeat the ICC cases as they did but, more importantly, they would use the office to unite the country, while pursuing an ambitious development agenda that would earn them a genuine election in 2017," he remarked.
He further opined that should Uhuru fail to oversee an all-inclusive government, the Opposition wing's National Resistance Movement (NRM) will grow stronger and more visible, leading to the downfall of the Jubilee administration.
"If UhuRuto once again give us a government where everyone from the top to the bottom in every ministry, department and parastatal is from only two communities, save for tokens here and there, then that will be the fuel that’ll sure drive the engine that is the National Resistance Movement: That will be the downfall of the government and, unfortunately, the country as well," he said.